CHICAGO, Aug. 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Dental released
additional findings from its 2024 Original Tooth Fairy
Poll® in recognition of National Tooth Fairy Day on
August 22.
Now in its 26th year, the poll reveals the Tooth
Fairy provides practical benefits for both children and adults.
More than 1 in 3 parents (34%) say the Tooth Fairy visits are a
positive way to instill good oral health habits, and nearly 1 in 5
(18%) claim the Tooth Fairy's generosity is contingent on their
child's dental hygiene. Further, about 1 in 4 parents (22%) believe
the tradition helps teach their children about the value of
money.
In addition, the poll finds the Tooth Fairy is welcomed into
approximately 8 in 10 (78%) U.S. homes, and more than 1 in 4
children (27%) go to bed early when they have a lost tooth in
anticipation of the Tooth Fairy's arrival.
"Not only is the Tooth Fairy a time-honored tradition in most
homes across the country, but she is an ally for parents to help
children develop proper oral hygiene habits," said Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic
Communications, Delta Dental Plans Association. "Delta Dental
continues to track Tooth Fairy giving as a playful way to educate
children about the importance of good oral health, which supports
overall health."
Additional key findings from the 2024 poll include:
Fostering celebration and imagination
- About half of parents (51%) feel the Tooth Fairy visits give
their child something to be excited about and an opportunity to
celebrate (47%).
- More than 1 in 3 parents (34%) believe the Tooth Fairy visits
help foster their child's imagination.
Tooth Fairy giving drops for first time in 5 years
- The average value of a single lost tooth during the past year
declined by 6% from $6.23 to
$5.84.
- The Tooth Fairy is tightening her purse strings in celebration
of the loss of a first tooth, with the average value dropping from
$7.29 to $7.09 over the past year.
The worth of a lost tooth and the
economy
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy
Poll® has typically mirrored the economy's overall
direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor's 500
Index (S&P 500). However, in 2023, the value of a lost tooth
went in a different direction, and it continues in 2024. The
average value of a single lost tooth decreased 6% over the past
year, while the S&P 500 experienced a 20% increase during the
same period.
About the poll
The Original Tooth Fairy
Poll® was conducted between Jan.
3, 2024 and Jan. 17, 2024,
among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error
is +/- 3%.
The January 2023 S&P 500
average was 3,942 and increased to an average of 4,746 for
January 2024, consistent with the
timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.
For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and
oral health tips for infants to pre-teen,
visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.
About Delta Dental Plans Association
Based in
Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental
Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the
39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies,
Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider and
offers the country's largest dental network with approximately
152,000 participating dentists. Over the last decade, Delta Dental
companies and their foundations invested nearly $2 billion to improve the oral and overall health
of our communities.
Visit deltadental.com for information on
individual dental insurance plans and group dental
insurance plans.
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SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association